Chapter 38: Chapter 38- Grandma (Part 1)
Chapter 38- Grandma (Part 1)
On the road to school, Fiona gave Elio their plans for the next week. It wasn’t anything shocking since it was mainly physical training for the most part. Elio had guessed that he would have to do that till his body was at a level where other forms of training would give good results.
However, he was also a bit eager to finally try his new abilities and to learn how to control his Blood Energy with utmost efficiency.
"Don’t try to jump steps, Elio." Noticing the look on his face, Fiona figured out the kind of idea he was having. "Each step builds your foundation properly so you can grow and evolve properly. If you try to skip anything or do it half-heartedly, you’re bound to fail."
"I understand... I will do my best."
’She’s right. If my foundation isn’t sturdy, I will face many problems in the future. I need to forget about everything else.’ He mused.
Eventually, the car came to a stop a block away from the school. Elio and Fiona naturally didn’t want to bring unnecessary attention seeing him coming out of her car. While Fiona herself didn’t mind, she knew it would put too many eyes on Elio, which was something she wanted to avoid the most. More eyes on him means a higher risk of revealing his powers.
"Are you fine continuing on foot, Elio?" She asked.
"Yes, don’t worry. It’s not that far." He said as he got out and closed the door. The limousine then drove off into the distance. Elio stared at her for a second before he shook his head and started walking.
Students passed him, walking in groups as usual. However, this time, he oddly didn’t feel like he envied them that much. Perhaps it was because he now had real ’friends’ that he didn’t feel that kind of jealousy anymore.
’But, am I friends with Fiona?’ He asked himself, realizing that loophole in his logic. ’It feels more like a partnership than an actual friendship. She probably sees it the same way I do. Just a business partnership... A very odd one.’
Imagining it in his head, why would someone of Fiona’s status try to befriend a nobody like him? She was certainly helping him because she’s kind, and also to make sure he helps her in the future. That was how partnerships worked, and he was fine with it. Elio didn’t expect their relationship to grow beyond this.
*RING* *RING* *RING*
At that moment, his phone started ringing, snapping him out of his daze. Pulling it out quickly, he noticed that it was coming from his grandmother.
"... Hm? Why is she calling me now of all tim-"
Then, Elio remembered what he did yesterday. "Oh right... I sent her money before I slept." He facepalmed. "She is probably shaken because of it."
Answering the call, he immediately heard a voice yelling at him.
"You little brat, what the hell is this money you’re sending me?!"
Elio quickly pulled the phone away as he squinted. "Ummm, it’s just money, Grandma. Use it to buy stuff for yourself."
"And when did I ask for that? Use it on yourself. I’m just an old lady, I don’t need all this money."
"Grandma, it’s just a hundred dollars, it’s really nothing. I got paid, and I have enough for myself."
’Way too much actually.’ He added in his head.
"Lord, help me with this child. What are you even doing, Elio?"
"Haha, I’m really fine. I love you, Grandma." Elio giggled. "How are you? We didn’t talk yesterday. Sorry, I was busy."
"Don’t worry about. Work and studying must be killing you. Are you at least eating properly? Are you sleeping?"
Her concerned questions made Elio smile. His grandma has always been a very tough and strong woman with the softest, most caring heart ever. "Yes, I’m doing fine. Don’t worry, Grandma."
"Good. When you come back home, and I find that you’re not eating properly, you’re getting an ass-whooping!"
"I don’t want that, so I will make sure to eat." He said as he laughed. Then, slowly, his smile faded as a serious look formed on his face. He hesitated for a second before he sucked a deep breath and then spoke.
"Hey, Grandma... Can I ask you something?"
"What?"
"It’s... Sigh, it’s something really important."
"Out with it, boy. What? Did you get in trouble?"
"No, it’s something different. It’s something concerning my... dead parents." He said.
"... What about them?"
"It’s... I don’t know how to say it, but... Were they anything special? Like, you never told me much about them, so I’m curious."
"Anything special? What do you mean?"
"Like, were they... You know, working or doing anything special? Something that isn’t common?"
"What are you talking about, Elio?"
"Grandma." He spoke her name quickly, with his voice a little higher than usual, before he quickly regained control and continued. "I will say it as it is. Are you hiding something from me regarding them and our family’s last name?"
For a second, his grandmother went silent. He wished he were there to see her expression.
"Elio... What happened? Why are you asking me all of this all of a sudden?"
"..." Elio pursed his lips. "I just want to know, Grandma. I’m old enough to know things now. I’m not the same kid who you need to protect."
"..."
She went silent again, and this time, Elio was able to confirm his suspicion. She knew something after all.
"Grandma. What is it? Come on, tell me."
"Sigh... Arsen and Anaya will be so upset with me." She muttered. "When are you free, Elio? This is probably the best time to just tell you... What truly happened."
Elio was taken aback. ’She’s really going to tell me?’ He muttered. That was unexpected from someone like his grandmother.
"During lunch break, I will be able to speak. I will call you then, ok?"
"Good."
With that, Elio hung up and stared at his phone for a second. A myriad of thoughts passed through his mind before he exhaled.
"All this time, I have been living a lie. Great... Just great." He mumbled. "Let’s see what she has to say."
With time being tight, Elio started walking again to reach class on time. However, in his mind, Elio felt so annoyed. ’Even if you wanted to protect me, Grandma. Don’t I have the right to at least know something? Living my entire life, not even knowing a thing about my parents.’
He hadn’t forgotten the days when parents were supposed to come to his class for some student-parent activities, and he was the only kid who didn’t bring one. Those looks his peers gave him, and the whispers. It was a memory that got etched into his very personality.
Even though he knew she was doing what was best for him. That part of him still felt that it was unfair... Unjust. Like he was living a lie and suffering its consequences.
Reaching class, he was a minute late. He had to apologize to the professor before he walked to his seat. Fiona glanced briefly at him as if she noticed something.
With that, the class started, and a new day began. A day that Elio won’t forget.